Scandium Canada Ltd. (TSX-V: SCD) announced a non-refundable contribution agreement of up to $6,915,478 from Natural Resources Canada's Global Partnerships Initiative (GPI) for its Crater Lake scandium and rare earth elements project in Quebec and its proprietary aluminum-scandium (Al-Sc) alloys. The announcement was made at the PDAC 2026 convention by The Honourable Tim Hodgson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, and Guy Bourassa, CEO of Scandium Canada, marking a significant step for Canada's leadership in the G7 Critical Minerals Production Alliance.
This federal support covers 69% of the project costs and will be used to scale up the company's patent-pending processes for beneficiation, extraction, and purification of scandium and rare earth elements (REEs). The funding will advance the project to FEL-3 engineering standards, completing detailed design, specifications, cost estimates, and execution schedules. Additionally, applied research with end users will optimize Al-Sc alloys for applications such as 3D printing and advanced manufacturing.
The grant unlocks immediate value for Scandium Canada's strategic partners through its Scandium+ division, even before the Crater Lake mine reaches full production. A memorandum of understanding with Granges Powder Metallurgy (GPM), a subsidiary of Gränges Group, will integrate Scandium Canada's proprietary scandium-modified AA535 and AA7075 alloys into GPM's product offerings, creating high-performance materials for global markets. A second partner will benefit from Scandium Canada's expertise in recovering scandium from polymetallic deposits, a notoriously difficult process due to co-occurring nickel and cobalt. A third partner, focused on building non-Chinese supply chains, aligns with Scandium Canada's goals as the project advances.
“It is a privilege to be among the few Canadian companies selected under the GPI, a recognition that speaks directly to the strategic importance of Crater Lake as North America's largest primary source of scandium,” said Guy Bourassa, CEO of Scandium Canada. “NRCan's support provides non-dilutive funding through 2028, allowing our team to focus on execution and demonstrating that Canada is a reliable, world-class supplier of critical materials.”
Minister Tim Hodgson added, “Canada and our partners are putting real capital behind secure and sustainable critical mineral supply chains. By working with companies like Scandium Canada, we are helping deliver the minerals the world needs and the prosperity and security Canadians deserve.”
The Global Partnerships Initiative, a Natural Resources Canada program, aims to strengthen domestic supply chains and position Canada as a reliable supplier of critical minerals to allied nations seeking to reduce dependency on foreign sources. Scandium Canada's Crater Lake project is North America's largest primary source of scandium, a critical mineral essential for lightweight, high-strength alloys used in aerospace, defense, and clean energy technologies.
This federal support underscores the strategic value of Scandium Canada's scientific expertise and international partnerships, advancing both the Crater Lake project and the commercialization of Al-Sc alloys. For more information, visit the company's website at www.scandium-canada.com.
